Origins Tea Tour 2012: Youle Tea Trees

Today on the Origins Tea Tour tea master Mr. Yang took us on a hike to study puer tea trees in one of the famous tea mountains of Yunnan-Youle. It reminded me of when I learned what bushwhacking meant hiking in the Tucson Mountains. So we pulled the bus over and Mr. Yang went straight up the mountain. No trail needed for him. Luckily we found an easier trail so no one would fall down the mountain. It felt amazing to be surrounded by these beautiful tea trees. You can check out more photos on Twitter @sevencups or via Instagram Photos on the Seven Cups Facebook page.

The first cup kisses away my thirst,
and my loneliness is quelled by the second.
The third gives insight worthy of ancient scrolls,
and the fourth exiles my troubles.
My body becomes lighter with the fifth,
and the sixth sends word from immortals.
But the seventh —oh the seventh cup— if I drink you,
a wind will hurry my wings toward the sacred island.